Semaphore for railway signaling.



R. B. PORTER.

SEMAPHOR'B FOR RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1910.

1,070,727, Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

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RICHARD BERRY PORTER, OF CHILLAGOE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA.

SEIVIAPI-IORE FOR RAILWAY SIGNALING.

Application led .Tune 14, 1910.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RIQHARD BERRY Pon- 'r1n:, a subject o-f the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Cliillagoe, in the State of Queensland,Commonwealth of Australia, engine-fitter, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Semaphores for Railway Signaling, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to illuminated semaphores for railway signaling,and relates particularly to that class of signals in which a hollowbox-like swinging or oscillatory arm or blade having a transparent faceand lighted interiorly is employed to permit of the use of the semaphorefor signaling at night as well as in day time, and it is the object ofthe invention to provide an improved semaphore of this type which issimple in construction, and durable and efficient in operation.

The improved semaphore consists in construct-ing the signal-arm in thef-orm of a hollow casing having the greater part of its face coveredwith a non-combustible transparent material, through which a brilliantlight is projected from a suitably disposed lamp or burner locatedwithin the said arm. Suitable provision is made for intensifying anddirecting the light toward the transparent face of the signal-arm, andalso for the correct operation of the latter.

ln order that t-he invention may be readily understood, reference willnow be had to the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings, whereinFigure 1 is a perspective view of a signal post fitted with an armconstructed according to the invent-ion. Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofthe signal-arm drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionof the inner end of the said signal-arm. Fig. t is a perspective view inhorizontal section of the arm shown in Fig. 2, while Fig. 5 is asectional plan of the same figure.

En these drawings, where like characters of reference have been employedto indicate similar parts in the different views, the numeral 1designa-tes a signal-post, to the top of which is pivoted a signal-arm(2) of improved construction. This arm (2) is made in the form of ahollow casing, and is constructed of sheet metal, or other preferredmaterial, suitably strengthened by internal stays or hoops If preferred,the said strengthening stays can be placed Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Aug. 19,1913.

Serial No. 566,733.

on the outside of thc arm. The arm (2) is considerably broader at itsinner lthan its outer end, and the former end is covered by a hingedcover or door (il) of approved design for enabling the interior of thesaid arm to be cleaned, and to provide convenient means whereby the lampor burner contained therein may receive necessary attention. Anyordinary form of clasp (5) can be affixed to the said d-oor for securingit when closed to the side of the signal-arm. The inner end of said arm(2) is provided with laterally projecting trunnions or journals (G),which form pivotal bearings in a carrying bracket (7) adapted to bebolted to the top of the post Une of these journals (6) is boredlongitudinally to admit of a gas supply pipe (S) being passedtherethrough into the center of the arm, where it is furnished with asuitable burner (9). The said supply pipe (8) is provided with astop-cock or valve (10), and passes vertically down the side of the post(1) to a gas-producing apparatus (11) of preferred construction.

The major portion of the face of the sig nal-arm (2) is formed of glass(12) or similar transparent material, through which the rays of lightfrom the burner (9) are projected after being intensified by means ofreflectors (13 and 14) located at both ends of the arm. The transparentportion of the face of the said arm can be clear or of any preferredcolor, and is preferably made in two or more sections or parts, whichare retained in position by means of detachable bars (15) or the like.The objectvin making the transparent portion of the arm in a number ofparts, and providing means for securing the same detachably in position,is to enable repairs to be effected economically should part of it bebroken from any cause. The interior of the arm (2) can be painted whiteor given a very high polish, in order to intensify the light from theburner (9), and thereby insure a very strong light behind thetransparent portion. rlhe top of the arm is preferably given acurvature, as shown in the drawings, which prevents the settling thereonof water, snow, or other substances blown about by a wind. An air inletis provided beneath the broadened end of the arm (2), and an outlet (17)is provided immediately above for the escape of the heated atmosphereand waste gas. The said outlet (17) is provided with a curved cover' orhood (18) to prevent the ingress of water, snow, or the like to theflame of the burner (9).

In lieu of locating the reiiectors (13 and 14) in the positions shown inthe drawings, they can be positioned against the rear wall of the arm(2), or in positions within the same. Projecting from the inner end ofthe signal-arm (2) is a short lever arm (19),y

which is pivotally connected by a link bar (20) to a vertically disposedoperating rod (2l). The said rod (2l) is adapted to be reciprocatedvertically by any ordinary means, operated by flexible or otherconnections, and communicating with suitably dis-` lever, the rear ofthe said arm is provided with a piece o1" glass (22) or the liketransparent material. Iortion of the light within the arm is directedthrough the said glass (22), and when the arm is lowered the glass isarranged to pass in front of a colored glass or opaque shield (23),secured to the post by a stay or stays (24). Thus, when the arm (2) isin its horizontal or normal position, the signalman will see a clearwhite light, and when the arm is inclined he will see a colored or nolight at all, according as a colored glass or opaque shield (23) isused.

The signal-arm (2) can be illuminated by an ordinary oil lamp, a gasburner, or electric light, and the said arm can be suitably constructedand litted internally to conveniently accommodate the particular lightused. Furthermore, the fittings within the said arm can be so arrangedthat they will permit the light to readily adapt itself to the differentangles given to the arm. The pivot point of the signal-arm can be at itsinner end, as shown, or at its center as is usual at the present time,in which latter case the light would be located at the center ofoscillation of the arm.

The operating mechanism at present employed can be used to actuate theimproved signal-arm, and the signals will be indicated by placing thearm at the horizontal or inoline as hereinbefore set out. At night thearm would be illuminated by its lamp, and the engineer of an approachingtrain will perceive as readily at night as he could by day the eXactposition oi' the arm, and the signal intended to be conveyed thereby.

Vhat I do claim is 4 In a semaphore for railway signaling, thecombination with a post, of a hollow signal arm having a transparentface in the front and a transparentportion in the rear near the innerend; a pair of trunnions projecting outwardly from the face and back ofsaid arm whereby it is supported by the post to have up and downoscillatory movement, and one of said trunnions beingtubular; anilluminant supplying pipe passing through said tubular trunnion andhaving a burner within the arm whereby to light the interior of saidarm; a reflector at each end of the arm to project the rays of lightthrough the transparent face and transparent portion in the back of thearm; and an opaque shield iixed to the post in such position so that itwill project in front of the transparent portion in the back of the armwhen the arm is in its lowered position.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo witnesses.

RICHARD BERRY PORTER.

Witnesses:

I?. W'. RYNE, T. MANNAIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

